Creating a Perception of Success - Documenting For Dorks
"Creating a Perception of Success - Documenting For Dorks
By various posters to the Monster.com chat area
I also work for "multiples" (10 on rotating-project basis, 15 on a regular basis, and 8 "primaries"). My environment is very "production" oriented, but there was no way to track my job. Since none of the managers had one in place, I came up with a way to track my daily work--which I provide to my reporting supervisor weekly. She knows what projects that I have "working". I do all of this in spreadsheet format--the numbers show that I am completing my projects--most of the time, ahead of schedule.
I also provide a monthly "roll-up" that tracks how much I am being utilized, by whom, and an increase/decrease in utilization figure. This provides my supervisor the information she needs so that she can pull in a temp if some (multiple) projects are going to take longer than the original time-line will allow. It also gives her a way to track my progress for my "Goals & Objectives" toward my annual review--I prove my worth.
I found out that managers could come down hard on someone for this very (stupid) thing. "Perceptions are reality" is what one manager told me--no one that cannot see beyond "perceptions" is doing their homework--I do not want to work for those types--but I have. Taking it out of their hands makes me pro-active, and un-replaceable, in their eyes--which makes for job security, if you get my meaning.
While it's fine to leave work in their inbox or e-mail, you must also put Post-Its on their computer screens, voice messages on their system and when you see them, give them in their hand a one page short status report on what's been accomplished and where to find it. That way, you have put in face-time with them, so to speak, and you have covered yourself on every possible base that they can no longer hide how capable you are. I do not believe anyone is arguing on your capability but it seems like you work in secret -- because these people are not proactive or have the energy to "search" for you; so make it real easy and baby-easy for them so they cannot "blame" you for their lack of turnaround and work ethic.
Insist on meeting for "3 minutes" twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. They want you to check in, so do it. It may be like a power thing, but do what needs to be done, dot those i's and cross those t's -- then see what they come up with next. If it's more stuff, or, I suspect, it'll get vague and nitpicky next, then start putting out the resume pronto, being nice and giving them a big smile, no skips on your covering bases routine until you are gone from that place."
Copyright 2004 - Monster Worldwide, Inc. All Rights Reserved. You may not copy, reproduce or distribute this article without the prior written permission of Monster Worldwide. This article first appeared on Monster, the leading online global network for careers. To see other career-related articles visit <http://content.monster.com>.
<Note from JobFairy.com: This situation is usually a recipe for disaster. We advise against getting into an environment like this. Get out, ASAP. Unless you enjoy exercising your political skills all the time (some do).>
|
